Cradle for FluidNC Dial Pendant on YZ plate of LowRider v3 CNC (v1.5)

NOTE: There are now 3 editions of this (two with magnets, and a third without magnets):

• v1.4 - 1st edition - GET IT HERE - magnets on outsides, opposing magnets touching
• v1.5 - 2nd edition - THIS LISTING - magnets on insides, opposing magnets not touching
• v1.6 - 3rd edition - GET IT HERE - no magnets at all, just a press fit insertion & removal

This version has the magnets glued in from the reverse sides, so a magnet's grip from one side can't pull out the corresponding magnet from the other side. Both magnets will pull each other “into” their sockets instead of “out of” their sockets.

INSTALLATION DO's and DON'Ts:

• For the inside of the case bottom, the magnet sockets near the side wall are the hardest to get to, so do them first, to reduce having an existing nearby magnet fighting you by pulling on the magnet you're trying to install.
• Although my normal process has been to drop CA glue into the socket and then press a magnet on top of it, for reasons of difficulty of access inside of the case bottom, I switched to pressing the magnet into the dry socket first, and then slathering CA glue on top and all around, and then drop a second magnet onto that first one, to hopefully increase magnetic hold power, and then a bit more CA glue, and then spray accelerant on top all that. 
• As always, please see the change log below. New entry in the afternoon of January 22, 2024.
• I eventually found that the perfect tool for pressing the magnets into their sockets (especially on the inside of the case bottom, but probably for the cradle too), was an M5 screw. I would carefully remove one magnet from the stack, and while keeping it's magnetic orientation correct, position it on the tip of the M5 screw, and use the M5 screw to press it into the socket. Snug fit means the magnet stays put while withdrawing the screw. The is done while the socket is dry, and then a slathering of CA glue is applied over the top and all around, and then accelerant sprayed on.

From the prior listing:

Watch below to see the pendant in action. The firmware for the FluidDial has now been released. To use it, you will also need to update your main board's FluidNC firmware to at least 3.7.13 or later. Many thanks to the FluidNC dev team for their great development work. As always, treat any new update to FluidNC as “beta” until you've tested it.

This cradle is designed for holding the FluidNC Dial pendant on the YZ plate of a LowRider v3 CNC.

It’s made to not just cradle it but to also grip onto it gently by use of 8 sets of tiny round magnets, nominally 2mm thick x 5 mm diameter — in total, 16 small magnets. 

This affiliate link leads to the magnets used:

https://amzn.to/3NSjTbe

For the magnets to work you also need a remixed version of the case bottom, which is included here. If you also still need the top, some variations of it are available here: 

https://www.printables.com/model/697710-case-for-fluid-dial-cnc-pendant-for-fluidnc-based-

The remixed case bottom adds recesses for 8 magnets to be CA-glued onto the inside lower face of it. There are 8 corresponding magnet recesses on this cradle design.

Placement on YZ plate:

There are two keys to good placement.

The first key is to avoid any chance of collision between the new cradle and your existing XZ lead screw stub. The two versions of the stub can be seen in the images below:

Assuming your LowRider is already assembled and functional, it's advisable to raise your gantry's Z height so that the stub is positioned so that you can see exactly how to place your new cradle to be far enough away from it. 

Because I pre-drilled for, and installed, the first-generation prototype of the cradle, which had no side walls like the current generation, that older version could be positioned very close to the stub. When I later installed the current design with side walls, using the same pre-drilled holes, I had a collision issue, and had to carve out a small portion of my cradle. Because of that, I can only guess at exactly how far away (from the opening for the stub in the YZ plate) you need to install the cradle. My guess is between 1/8" and ¼" away should be enough. In the illustration below (from my 3D modeling in SketchUp), there are two vertical guidelines. One guideline is 1/8" from the opening, and the other guideline is ¼" from the opening. The cradle is installed with its edge somewhere between the two guidelines.

The second key to good placement is to make sure that you still have access to the two large holes in the YZ plate that allow access to the screws holding the gantry beam to the XZ plates.

In the illustration below (from my 3D modeling in SketchUp), you can see the two large holes highlighted in yellow. Notice that the cradle can be installed so that tool access to those holes is still allowable. Also, here again is another view of those two vertical guidelines. One guideline is 1/8" from the opening, and the other guideline is ¼" from the opening. The cradle is installed with its edge somewhere between the two guidelines.

FluidNC Pendant WIKI

http://wiki.fluidnc.com/hardware/official/M5Dial_Pendant

Please consider making a donation to support FluidNC and its ongoing, open-source development. See below for donation info and links:

Donations 

FluidNC and Grbl_ESP32 are powered by donations. Donations are primarily used to pay for tools and hardware for firmware testing. Adding new features, like plasma torch height control, tool changers and VFD spindles is very expensive. The primary developers share this money. If you are asking for a custom feature or help with a controller from a manufacturer that is not sponsoring this project, please consider donating.

Via Github 

A monthly donation via github is the preferred method. https://github.com/sponsors/bdring 

Via Paypal
One time donations can be done via Paypal. https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=8DYLB6ZYYDG7Y 

Discord sponsor badges 

If you donate, you will be added to the sponsor group. Your name will be highlighted in green and a sponsor badge will appear next to your name. Indicate your Discord username with the donation. 

LowRider v3 CNC 

For info on the free open-source plans and files for the LowRider, visit: https://v1e.com — and for discussion via the V1E forum, visit: https://v1e.com/forum

Change log:

• January 27, 2024 —v1.5 uploaded, which was modified to have less overhang during printing. Coincides with new releases of the other two editions. See description for links.
• January 22, 2024 (3:50 PM) — revised v1.2 uploaded, to fix that the thin layer below the magnets, was not thin, or at least not thin enough. So sorry to the one person who downloaded between this morning and now. Please re-download if you see this, and especially if you have not printed it yet.
• January 22, 2024 (early AM) — v1.2 uploaded, has the magnets glued in from the reverse sides, so the magnet grip from one side can't pull out the corresponding magnet on the other side. Both magnets will pull each other “into” their sockets instead of “out of” their sockets.

Previous (parent of this remix) change log:

• January 27, 2024 —v1.4 uploaded, which was modified to have less overhang during printing. Coincides with new releases of the other two editions. See description for links.
• January 14, 2024 — v1.1 uploaded, which was modified to ensure the cradle can be installed without blocking the tool access holes that provide a way to reach the screws that mount the gantry beam to the XZ plates. 
• January 11, 2024 — initial upload of v1.0

My PayPal tip jar: https://paypal.me/design8studio  

Various LowRider 3 CNC remixes:

• LowRider 3 CNC Collection

View all my models and remixes on Printables:

• Design8Studio 3D models

*Product links may be affiliate links, which add nothing to your price, but may benefit me by a small percent.

This version has the magnets glued in from the reverse sides, so the magnet grip from one side can't pull out the corresponding magnet on the other side. Both magnets will pull each other “into” their sockets instead of “out of” their sockets. Con: it has less grip this way.